Well equipment



S. V. DILLON WELL EQUIPMENT May 21, 1935.

s sneets sheez 1 Filed Aug. 19, 1952 May 21, 1935. s. v. DILLON 0 WELLEQUIPMENT May 21, 1935. 5 v DILLQN 2,002,140

WELL EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 19, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .5 either upwardlyor downwardly regardless of the Patented May 21, 1935 v UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 2,002,140 WELL EQUIPMENT Stephen V. Dillon, Tulsa, Okla.Application August 119, 1932, Serial No. 629,542

' 20 Claims) (c1. 103 -219) This invention relates to improvements inwell equipment, and more especially to devices .for anchoring orsecuring tubing or the like in the casing of a well, from verticalmovement pressure existing in the well.

While the invention has been devised for the purpose of anchoring ashort section of tubing used with -a bottom hole bean or choke, it willbe understood by those skilled in the art that the mechanism may beemployed inany environment where it is desirable to make a tightconnection between the interior of a bore or tubular member suchas awell casing, and the exterior of aninternal member such as well tubing."Obviously, it will be especially useful in pumping or how- :ing wells.

'Heretofore in anchoring the stationary tubing section of a bottom holebean device in position,

i it was usually necessary to use the tubing above the bean as a driveror jarring element. In a deep well, as the tubing above the bean isrela. vtively heavy, it is manifest thatvthis'is a dangerous operation,and may not only result in damage to equipment, but in a high pressurewell, may result in injury to the workmen. 'Oneof the objects of thepresent invention is to provide an anchoring mechanism which may becontrolled by rotation of the tubing relatively to the well casing, orbore for the purpose of lockingthe device in position or forreleasingthe same; the devicefunctioning while in locked position to preventmovement of the tubing either upwardly or downwardly;

Another object of the invention is to combine with such mechanism aguard to prevent tools or the like which may be accidentallydropped inthe well from interfering with the successful op- "eration of the deviceor withdrawal of the anchoring mechanism by the tubing under anycircumstances.

A further object is to furnish an anchoring device comprising tubularelements which surround the tubing and are provided with abutrnentsadapted in case of breakage of certain parts to cooper-ate withabutments on the tubing, whereby said tubular elements may be removedwith the tubing should certain'parts of the mechanism be damaged.

Another object is to supply an anchoring mechanism in which one of saidtubular members .carries dogs or slips which cooperate with the -wedgeblock on the tubing, and said tubular memberprovided with legs or thelike designed --to come to rest'on the wedge block in case thewithdrawal in case it is found that the part to wedge block to anyappreciable extent during showing the zeshaped groove of the wedgeblock.

itubing should tend to fall. This feature will prevent undue buckling ofthe reins of the slips, which might interfere with the withdrawal of theanchoring mechanism with the tubing.

A further and important feature of the inven- 5 tion resides in a weighton the tubing designed to be released from elevated positionby turningof the tubing to permit the weight to drop, and by-impact, force theslips or dogs into locking position. Heretofore, a coil spring wasusually 10 employed to set the dogs in locking position, andconsequently, it was necessary to withdraw the device from the well inorder to again place the spring undertension. By employing the weight ofmy construction, the dogs may be set,released and resetwithoutwithdrawal of the mechanism from the well. This feature alsomakes the mechanism especially advantageous for fishing tool purposes,as the Weight can be controlled from the top of the well, and this makesit possible to set, release and reset the fishing tool from thegroundsurface without withdrawal of the tool. Furthermore, it permits readywithdrawal of the tool for any purpose, for example,

be pulled cannot be extracted in this way.

A still further object is'to combine'with tubing and a wedge block,valve means which will not only prevent well liquid from entering thelowering of the tubing, but which will positively seal the interior ofthe wedge block against entrance of wellliquid after the anchoringmechanism has been set in position.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view whichwill appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the"novel features hereinafter described in de tail, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings, I

Fig. l is an elevation of my improved anchoring mechanism shown inposition on a section of well tubing arranged within a well casing, thelatter being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the tubing and casing, but showing theanchoring mechanism in diametrical vertical section.

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and '7 are horizontal sectional views takenrespectively on the lines 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 5-6 and I-'Ia0f. Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a diametrical vertical sectional view of'the wedge block withthe tubing removed and Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one of the lugassemblies which is arranged on the tubing and cooperates with the wedgeblock slot means.

Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are horizontal sectional views of the same, takenrespectively on the lines Ill-i0, H-ll and l2l2 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view looking at the bottom of the upper one ofthe fixed rings of said lug assembly. I

Fig. 1% is a perspective view of the loose ring of said assembly.

Fig. 15 is a perspective View of the other one of the fixed rings ofsaid assembly.

Referring to the drawings, 9 designates an internal member and it anexternal member. For the purpose of disclosing the invention, it will beassumed that 9 is the tubing and If) the casing of an oil well, but itwill be apparent to those familiar with such equipment that my mechanismmay be employed to provide an effective lock'between an internal and anexternal member, and

which may be set or released by the turning of the internal memberrelatively to the external memher.

The members 9 and i0 must be vertically arranged, and they cooperatewith an anchoring mechanism comprising first a wedge block H. second aslip carrying sleeve or the like I2, and third a weight I3, all mountedin superposed relation. 1

The wedge block is preferably of tubular form and the tubing passesthrough the bore of the same, and for the purpose of temporarily pre- 1venting the wedge block from dropping downwardly on the tubing or fromturning in the casing, the wedge block is provided with a number of armsM having ends fixed to the wedge block by any suitable means such asscrews 85. These arms are formed of resilient material and they may beleaf springs which frictionally engage the inner surface of the casingwith sufiicient pressure to always support the weight of the wedge blockin the casing 18.

Externally, the wedge block is preferably provided with pairs of guidefingers It; the pairs being staggered with relation to the friction armsI 4 to prevent interference with the latter. The guide fingers functionas guides or retainers for the reins ll of dogs or slips l8, whichdepend from and are suitably connected with the sleeve I 2. The reinsare preferably pivotally connected to the sleeve as at E9, and owing tothe form of each rein, its dog or slip is held in engagement with aninclined surface 28 of the wedge block.

It will be noted that the inclined surfaces 20 of the wedge block in thepresent invention are inclined upwardly and inwardly toward the axis ofthe tubing, whereby upward movement of the block by pressure within thewell, or upward pulling on the tubing will tend to wedge the slips isinto tighter engagement with the casing Hi.

The bore of the wedge block, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 8, is providedwith a substantially Z-shaped groove or slot means 2! having a verticalportion 22 provided at its upper end with a horizontal portion 23extending in one direction, and provided at its lower end with ahorizontal portion 24 extending in the opposite direction. This grooveis provided to form abutments within the wedge block to cooperatewithlugs 25 and 26 on the tubing. In accordance with the invention, thelug 25 is positioned above the lug 2G, and each lug is integral with orfixed to a ring 21 loosely mounted on the tubing. Each ringl21 canrotate between a pair of rings 28 and 29, fixed to the tubing, and forthe purpose of urging the lugs 25 and 26 in opposite directions, a coilspring 30 is provided for each lug assembly. One end of each coil springis secured to the loose ring as shown at 3!, and has its other endanchored to the fixed ring 29 as at 32. Each of the fixed rings 28 isprovided with an abutment or stop 33 adapted to engage one of the lugs25, 26, and when the tubing is turned in a counter-clockwise direction,the upper one of the fixed lugs, as well as the upper lug 25 simplyturns with the tubing, and the lug 25 travels in a counter-clockwisedirection in the horizontal portion 23 of the groove 2! of the wedgeblock. At this time, the lower lug 28 is in the vertical portion 22 ofthe wedge block groove, and as the lower fixed abutment 33 moves withthe tubing while the lug 26 cannot move with the same, the spring 30 ofthe lower lug 26 is tensioned. When the upper lug 25 reaches thevertical portion 22 of the groove, due to the turning of the tubing, itwill be understood, if the tubing is now lowered relatively to the wedgeblock, that the lower lug 26 will be brought into register with thelower horizontal portion 24 of the groove, and as the lower lug 26 isunder tension, it will spring or snap into the portion 24 of the grooveunder the influence of the tension spring of the lower lug.

In this way, as will be more fully explained later, the parts may beanchored in position. To release, the tubing is turned in the oppositedirection, and therefore, the lower lug 26 will positively travel in aclock-wise direction with the fixed rings on the lower assembly, withoutany dependence on movement of the lug by the spring of the lowerassembly, thereby assuring absolute withdrawal at any desired time. Thismovement will bring the lower lug 26 into regis tration with thevertical portion 22 of the groove, but as the upper lug 25, due to itsengagement with the Vertical portion of the groove, is prevented fromturning at this time, it will be understood that its spring is thusplaced under tension. Therefore, if the tubing is now lifted so as tocause both lugs 25 and 26 to travel upwardly in the groove 2!, as soonas the upper lug comes into register with the upper horizontal portion23 of the groove, the lug 25, under the influence of its spring, willnow snap into the portion 23 of the groove, and will'then act to providemeans which will force the wedge block down with the tubing if thelatter is lowered.

Provision is also made to permit relative movement between the tubingand the parts l2 and 13. Each of these parts is preferably provided inits bore with diametrically opposite L-shaped grooves 34 each consistingof a vertical portion 35 and a horizontal portion 36. The tubing hasfixed rings 37 and 38 provided with oppositely extending fixed lugs 39and 4B, which work in the grooves 34. When the lugs 39 and 56 areoccupying the horizontal portions of the grooves 33, it is obvious thatthe weight it and sleeve I2 will move either upwardly or downwardly withthe tubing. However, in order that the device may function properly,these parts (I2, l3) are so connected with the wedge block I I as to beprevented from turning. The reins I! of the slips prevent the sleeve l2from turning relatively to the wedge block, and the sleeve has upwardlyextending arms il which operate in guide grooves 42 of the weight toprevent the latter from turning with reference to the sleeve. Manifestlythen, if the tubing is'turned with reference to the wedge block thetubing will also turn rela- 3 $002,140? .tively to the sleevev |2and.weight|3,*and' this wardly-relatively to the wedge block.

As a safety measure, it will be noted that the fixed rings 3i and 38 areof a diameter to slide vertically in the bores 63 of the weight andsleeve, and in case of breakage of the lugs 39 or 40, the collars, orone of them can come into engage ment with removable closure plates 44positioned at the tops of the weight and sleeve. These cover plates willform abutments which may be engaged by the collars so as to causelifting of the weight or sleeve with the tubing even though thelugs 39and ill should be broken off. a I

For further. protection, a guard 45 is positioned above the weight andis fixedly secured'to the tubing for preventing any article falling inthe Well from damaging the anchoring mechanism parts or preventing thewithdrawal of the mechanism. Thisguard preferably consists of about fourbowsprings positioned at 90 relatively to one another and having theirends secured to the tubing in any suitable way. A net 46'0f wire mesh orthe like, and of annular form, has its inner edge secured to the tubingby any suitable ,means, and its outer edge connected to the medialportions of the bow springs,'so that the net is held in stretched ortaut condition bythe springs, and any articlefallinginto the well willland uponthis net. and will be prevented from :reaching the. anchoringmechanism. Furthermore, when the anchoringmechanism is withdrawn withthe tubing, the net will lift such articles out of the well. Such a netwill, of course, allow passage of fiuid between the'tubing and casing.

It is desirable to seal the interior of the wedge block against theentrance of well fluid for the purpose of protecting the internalmechanism. Therefore, I have provided the upper end of the wedge blockwith a cap 41 which issecured to the upper end of the wedge block and inwhich the tubing slides. In addition, the tubing has a valve ring 43 ofany suitable material which moves with the tubing, but is adapted toseat on an annular ledge 49 within the wedge blockwhen the tubing islowered relatively to the wedge block and the mechanism is set in'position. Manifestly, the cap GT and valve 48 prevent the passage ofwell fluid into the portion of the bore occupied by the abutment lugassembly.

A rugged collar '50 of any suitable material will be welded or threadedon to the tubing below the anchoring mechanism and serve as a stop orabutment for the wedge block in case breakage of some of the parts mightpermit the wedge block to fall on the tubing below the position shown inFigs. 1 and 2. a

To prevent buckling of the slip reins H, in case of failure'of some oftheparts, the sleeve I2 is preferably provided with legs 5| designed tocome to rest on the top of the wedge block I I.

In operation, assuming the mechanism is to be lowered into the well withthe tubing, the lugs '39 and 48 will be occupying the horizontalportions of the grooves 34 to-prevent dropping of the weight and sleeveon the tubing The upper ends of the slips i8 will-also 'be engaging thetension; i

this time. the tubing, the lower lug 26 will be brought intofingers'lfi'to prevent falling of the wedge block, but at the same time,the friction arms M on the Wedge block are strong enough to prevent thefalling or said block. As a matter of fact, the spring arms 14 will beof such strength as to require the pushing of the wedge block down intothe well. i

I After the parts have been loweredto the position where it is desiredto anchor the same, the

tubing will be turned in a counter-clockwisedirection. This will causethe lugs 39 and 40 to move into registration with the vertical portionsof the grooves 34. At the same time, the upper lug of the wedge blockwill move in the horizontal portion. 23 of the slot 2| into registrationwith the vertical portion 22 of the slot 2| without tensioning thespring of the upper lug 25, but as the lower lug 26 is already in thevertical portion 22 of the slot 2| during this turning movement, thespring of the lower lug will be placed under As soon as the lugs 25, 39and 49 come into registration with the vertical portions of theirrespective grooves, the sleeve l2 and weight l3 will drop so asto wedgethe dogs l8 between the Wedge block and the casing. At the same time,

however, the wedge block ll, due to its friction spring arms I4, isprevented from dropping, so that the lugs 25 and 26 will simply descendinto thevertical portion 22 of the groove 25. Nowif the tubing islowered, the lugs 39 and 48 will travel down the vertical portions oftheir slots, as the slips |8 and wedge block will prevent the parts I2and Hi from moving downwardly at During this downward movement ofregistration with the horizontal portion 24 of the groove 2|, andtherefore, the lug 26, which is under the tension of its spring, willsnap into the portion 24 of the groove 2| and lock the parts inposition.

Should it at a later time be desired to release or reset the parts, thetubing will be turned in a clock-wise direction, and this will cause thelugs 39 and 40 to move into the horizontal portions of their slots, andthe lug 26 to move into registration with the vertical portion of itsslot. At'the same time, as the upper lug 25 is held against turningmovement by the vertical portion of its slot, its spring will be putunder tension. Now if thetubing is lifted, the parts 12 and I3 will risewith the tubing, but the lugs 25 and 26 will simply travel upwardly intheir slot relatively to the wedge block, and as soon as the upper lug25 comes into registration with the horizontal portion 23 of its slot,it will snap into this portion 23 and then the parts may be eitherraisedorlowered as a unit, and they will be inthe samerelative positions aswhen they entered the well.

While I have disclosed what I now consider to be a preferred embodimentof the invention in such manner that the same may be readily understoodby those skilled in the art, I am aware that changes maybe made in thedetails disclosed and that the essential elements of the same may beused for various purposes, without departing from the spirit of theinvention, as expressed in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

lgAnohoring .mechanism for anchoring an elongated internal member to thesurface of a bore, comprising a sleeve and wedge block, both arranged.on theinternal memben'thelatter having limited movement relatively to"said sleeve and wedge block, slips connected to the sleeve andcooperating with the wedge block for locking the latter to the surfaceof said bore and preventing upward movement of the wedge blockrelatively to the bore, means actuated by said internal member forsetting the slips relatively to the wedge block, for releasing the slipsfrom the wedge block and for withdrawing the sleeve, slips and wedgeblock from the bore with said internal member, said last mentioned meanspreventing the internal member from rotating a complete revolutionrelatively to the wedge block, and friction means carried by the wedgeblock for friotionally supporting the wedge block in the boreagainstdownward or turning movement.

2. An anchoring device for use in securing an elongated internal memberto'the surface of a bore, comprising a sleeve and a wedge block mountedon the internal member, said member being movable relatively to thesleeve and wedge block, slips carried by the sleeve and cooperating withthe wedge block for interlocking the latter with the surface of saidbore, and means interlocking the sleeve and wedge block to the internalmember for preventing movement of the wedge block in either directionaxially of said bore and for preventing the internal member fromrotating' a complete revolution relatively to said wedge block.

3. An anchoring device for use in securing an elongated internal memberto the bore of a vertical tubular member, comprising a sleeve and awedge block mounted on the internal member, said member being movablerelatively to the sleeve and wedge block, slips carried by the sleeveand cooperating with the wedge block for interlocking the latter withthe surface of said bore, and means interlocking the sleeve and wedgeblock to the internal member for preventing movement of the wedge blockin either direction axially of said bore and for preventing the internalmember from rotating a complete revolution relatively to said wedgeblock.

4. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated internal member tothesurface of a bore, comprising a sleeve and wedge block, both arranged onthe internal member, the latter having limited movement relatively tosaid sleeve and wedge block, said wedge block having its smaller enduppermost slips connected to the sleeve and cooperating with the wedgeblock for locking the latter to the surface of said bore, means actuatedby said internal member for setting the slips relatively to the wedgeblock, for releasing the slips from the wedge block, and for withdrawingthe sleeve, slips and wedge block from the bore with said internalmember, friction means carried by the wedge block for frictionallysupporting the wedge block in the bore against downward or turningmovement, and a weight supported by the internal member and releasableby movement of the latter for driving the slips into tighter engagementwith the wedge block and the bore, said weight being movable relativelyto said'wedge block.

5. An anchoring device for use in securing an elongated internal memberto the surface of a bore, comprising a sleeve and a wedge block mountedon the internal member, said member being movable relatively to thesleeve and wedge block, said wedge block having its smaller enduppermost, slips carried by the sleeve and cooperating with the wedgeblock for interlocking the latter with thesurface of said bore, meansinterlocking the sleeve and wedge block to the internal member forpreventing movement of the wedge block in'either direction axially ofsaid bore, and a weight supported by the internal member and releasableby movement of the latter for driving the slips into tighter engagementwith the wedge block and the bore, said weight being movable relativelyto said wedge block.

6. An anchoring device for use in securing an elongated internal memberto the bore of a vertical tubular member, comprising a sleeve and awedge block mounted on the internal member, said member being movablerelatively to the sleeve and wedge block, said wedge block having itssmaller end uppermost, slips carried by the sleeve and cooperating withthe wedge block for interlocking the latter with the surface of saidbore, means interlocking the sleeve and wedge block to the internalmember for preventing movement of the wedge block in either directionaxially of said bore, and a weight supported by the internal member andreleasable by movement of the latter for driving the slips into tighterengagement with the wedge block and the bore, said weight being movablerelatively to said wedge block.

7. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated vertical member withina vertical bore, comprising a weight, a sleeve and a wedge block, allsubstantially surrounding said internal member, said internal memberbeing movable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight, sleeveand wedge block, interlocking means between the internal member and theweight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said parts inpredetermined spaced relations and adapted through movement of theinternal member relatively to the'weight, sleeve and wedge block, torelease the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts to fallrelatively to the wedge block, friction means secured to the wedge blockfor frictionally supporting the latter within the bore, and slipsconnected to the sleeve and cooperating with the wedge block for tightlysecuring the wedge block to the bore.

8. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated vertical member withina vertical bore, comprising a weight, a sleeve and a wedge block, allsubstantially surrounding said internal member, said internal memberbeing movable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight, sleeveand wedge block, interlocking means between the internal member and theweight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said parts inpredetermined spaced relation and adapted through movement of theinternal member relatively to the weight, sleeve and wedge block, torelease the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts to fallrelatively to the wedge block, friction means secured to the wedge blockfor frictionally supporting the latter within the bore, and slipsconnected to the sleeve and cooperating with the wedge block for tightlysecuring the wedge block to the bore, said interlocking means being soarranged as to restore the weight and sleeve into original position whenthe internal member is moved in a certain way, including a circularmovement.

9. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated vertical member withina vertical bore, comprising a weight, a sleeve and a wedge block, allsubstantially surrounding said internal member, said internal memberbeing movable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight, sleeveand wedge block, interlocking means between the internal member and theweight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said'parts inpredetermined" spaced relation' and adapted through movement of theinternal memberrela-- tively to the weight, sleeve and wedge block, to-

release the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts t'o fallrelatively to the wedge block, friction means secured to the wedge blockfor frictionally supporting the latter within the bore, and slipsconnected to the sleeves andcoopera'ting with the wedge block fortightly securing the wedge block to the bore, said interlocking meansacting to' restore the weight and sleeve to original position after theparts have been anchoredby movement of the internal member'firstcircularly and then upwardly.

10. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated vertical memberwithin a vertical bore, comprising a weight, a sleeve and a wedge block,all substantially surrounding said internal memher, said internal memberbeing movable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight, sleeveand wedge block, interlocking means between the internal memberand theweight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said partsinpredetermined spaced relation and adapted through movementof theinternal member relatively to the weight, sleeve and wedge block, torelease the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts to fallrelatively to the wedge block, triction means secured to the wedge blockfor frictionally supporting the latter within the bore, and slipsconnected to the sleeve and cooperating with the wedge block for tightlysecuring the wedge block to the bore. said interlocking means includinga substantially Lshaped slot and lug interconnecting the weight to theinternal momber. r

11. Anchoring mechanism :for anchoring an elongated vertical memberwithin a vertical bore,

comprising a weight, a sleeve anda wedge blo'ck,.

all substantially surrounding said internal member, said internal memberbeingmovable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight,

sleeve and wedge block, interlocking means between the internal memberand the weight, sleeve.

and wedge block for normally holding said parts in predetermined spacedrelation and adapted through movement of the'internal member relativelyto the weight, sleeve and wedge block, to release'the weight and sleeveand to permit these parts tofall relatively to the wedge block",friction means secured to the wedgeblock for-fric.- tionally' supportingthe latter within the'bore,

and slips connected to the sleeve and cooperat-- ingwith the wedgeblocklfor tightly securing the wedge block to the bore, saidinterlocking means including a cooperating substantially L-shaped slotand lugs ecuring the sleeve to said internal member.

12. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated vertical memberwithin a vertical bore, comprising a weight, a sleeve and a wedge block,all substantially surrounding said internal member, said internal memberbeing movable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight, sleeveand wedge block, interlocking means between the internal member and theweight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said parts inpredetermined spaced relation and adapted through movement of theinternal member relatively to the weight, sleeve and wedge block, torelease the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts to fallrelatively to the wedge block, friction means secured to the wedge blockfor frictionally supporting the latter within the bore,

and slips connected to the sleeve and cooperating with the wedge blockfor tightly securing the wedge block to the bore, said interlockingmeans including a. substantially Z-shaped slot and a plurality oflugsconnecting the internal member to said wedge block.

13. Anchoring means of the class described for securing an elongatedinternal member to the surface of a bore, comprising a wedge blockmounted on the internal member between the latter and the surface of thebore, slips cooperating with the wedge block and adapted to bewedgedagainst the bore by the wedge block, said internal memberextending through and being-movable within the wedge block, and meansinterlocking the wedge block to the internal member, the last mentionedmeans including slot and mounted on the internal member, and springstensioned by relative movements between the internal member and thewedge block for urging one of said lugs into one of thesubstantiallyhori-' zontal portions of the slot means and for urging the other one ofthe lugs into the other substantially horizontal portion of the slotmeans.

14'. In anchoring mechanism for securing an elongated internal membertothe surface of a bore in which theinternal member is arranged, a tubularelement arranged between the internal member and the boreandsubstantially surrounding the internal member, said element beingprovided with internal slot means including substantially horizontalportions, pairs of rings fixed to the internal member, one ring of eachpair having an abutment surface, a loose ring arranged between the ringsof each of the fixed pairs of rings, lugs rigidly united with the looserings and cooperating with the abutments oil the fixed rings and alsowith said slot means, and springs connecting the loose rings to one ofthe fixed rings of each pairfor urging one of the lugs in onedirectionandthe other lug in the opposite. direction, said springsbeing, tensioned by movement of the internal member relatively to thetubular element whilesaid-lugs are 0celongated vertical member within avertical bore,

comprising a weight, a sleeve and a wedge block,

all substantially surrounding said internal memher, said internal memberbeing movable vertically and rotatably relatively to. the weight, sleeveand wedge block, interlocking means between the internal member and theweight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said parts inpredetermined spaced relation and adapted through movement of theinternal member relatively to the weight, sleeve and wedge block, torelease the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts to fallrelatively to the wedge block, friction means secured to the wedge blockfor frictionally supporting the latter within the bore, slips connectedto the sleeve and cooperating with the wedge block for tightly securingthe wedge block to the bore, said wedge block being provided with abore, and means for sealing the last mentioned bore against the entranceof fluid.

16. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated vertical memberwithin a vertical bore, comprising a weight, a sleeve and a wedge block,all substantially surrounding said internal member, said internal memberbeing movable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight, sleeveand wedge block, interlocking means between the internal member and theweight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said parts inpredetermined spaced relation and adapted through movement of theinternal member relatively to the weight, sleeve and wedge block, torelease the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts to fallrelatively to the wedge block, friction means secured to the wedge blockfor frictionally supporting the latter within the bore, slips connectedto the sleeve and cooperating with the wedge block for tightly securingthe wedge block to the bore, said interlocking means including a ringfixed to the internal member and provided with'a. radially projectinglug, a substantially L-shaped groove in one of said members into whichthe lug projects, and a cover plate connected to said member andfunctioning in case of accident as an abutment for said ring.

1'7. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated vertical memberwithin a vertical bore, comprising a weight, a sleeve and a wedge block,all substantially surrounding said internal member, said internal memberbeing movable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight, sleeveand wedge block, interlocking means between the internal member and theweight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said parts inpredetermined spaced relation and adapted through movement of theinternal member relatively to the weight, sleeve and wedge block, torelease the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts to fallrelatively to the wedge block, friction means secured to the wedge blockfor frictionally supporting the latter within the bore, slips connectedto the sleeve and cooperating with the wedge block for tightly securingthe Wedge block to the bore, and vertical projections for permanentlyspacing the sleeve from the wedge block to limit the movement of thesleeve toward the wedge block.

18. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated vertical memberwithin a vertical bore, comprising a, weight, a sleeve and a wedgeblock, all substantially surrounding said internal member, said internalmember being movable vertically and rotatably relatively to the weight,sleeve and wedge block, interlocking means between the internal memberand the weight, sleeve and wedge block for normally holding said partsin predetermined spaced relation and adapted through movement of theinternal member relatively to the weight, sleeve and wedge block, to

release the weight and sleeve and to permit these parts to fallrelatively to the wedge block, fric-- 'tion means secured to the wedgeblock for frictionally supporting the latter within the bore, slipsconnected to the sleeve and cooperating with the wedge block for tightlysecuring the wedge block to the bore, and a guard mounted on theinternal member above said weight,- and comprising bow springs radiallypositioned relatively to the internal member and having their ends fixedto the internal member, and an annular net surrounding the internalmember and having its inner edge secured to the internal member, and itsouter edge secured to the medial portion of the bow springs.

19. The combination with well tubing, of means for anchoring the samewithin a well, comprising a wedge block surrounding the tubing, a sleevesurrounding the tubing and arranged above the wedge block, frictionmeans carried by the wedge block and adapted to engage the bore of thewell for supporting the wedge block in said bore, slips'connected to thesleeve and cooperating with the wedge block for wedging the slips intolocking position between the wedge block and the well bore, slots in thesleeve and wedge block having substantially vertical and substantiallyhorizontal portions, and lugs mounted on the tubing and projecting intosaid slots, for causing relative movement between the sleeve and wedgeblock when the tubing is moved in a certain manner, whereby the slipsmay be set or released by relative movement between the tubing andsleeve and wedge block.

20. Anchoring mechanism for anchoring an elongated internal member tothe surface of a.

bore, comprising a sleeve and wedge block, both arranged on the internalmember, the latter having limited movement relatively to said sleeve andwedge block, slips connected to the'sleeve and cooperating with thewedge block for looking the latter to the surface of said bore andpreventing upward movement of the wedge block relatively to the bore,means actuated by said internal member for setting the slips relativelyto the wedge block, for releasing the slips from the wedge block and forwithdrawing the sleeve,

slips and wedge block from the bore with said internal member, said lastmentioned means preventing the internal member from rotating a completerevolution relatively to the wedge block, and friction means forfrictionally supporting the wedge block in the bore against downward orturning movement.

STEPHEN V. DILLON.

